03.21.07 Biceps or Abs
I feel like a truck ran into my abs. A couple weeks ago, Becky, who once taught aerobics, suggested I start working out with her. It was perfect timing on her part. I’d just come back from the northern states where, more than anywhere else in this country, I’m told by rude fans how skinny I am after shows. “You really should eat,” one said. “Really? What’s eat?” I wanted to say. I’m continually amazed at the things people will say unflinchingly to complete strangers.
Anyway, my self-esteem was fine but I was more aware than ever that I am in fact a bit on the thin side, and more importantly, less healthy than I could be. That’s why Becky suggested I exercise my “core” with her. The core is what she calls your trunk - everything but the legs and arms. The core is all the muscle groups experts say give a person mobility and functionality far into old age - large biceps don’t do that. She says. But, no one tells the guy with large biceps he needs to eat either...I’m just saying.
So, I started doing the Becky workout every night, even on the road. And it freaking hurts. The music isn’t helping any. I can’t decide which I most dislike: The burning sensation I get in my butt muscles after a zillion reps of what she calls “the table” or the embarrassment of doing push-ups to “It’s Raining Men.” It’s a toss up.
I’m finding the core in my work too - those things that form the center of what I do, the stuff that isn’t noticed by most but is essential to remaining functional and meet my most important goals. It’s easy to get bogged down, as I’ve been over the years, with things that are all flash, all external, but truly don’t matter to the real task at hand. What’s essential? What’s needed? Without all the time and money in the world I’m forced now to focus on those things.
By focussing on the core we’ve saved 600 kids from poverty, played ten shows a month. booked ourselves through the end of September and sold 1300 of the new CDs in three months. And we’re not slowing down any time soon.
john said:
"It’s Raining Men”! LOL! Nothing like The Weather Girls to get that workout going!
Brody Harper said:
John.
It’s neat to share a hotel room with Shaun while he is doing that.
john said:
Brody,
How hard IS it to get those cheezy workout songs out of your head? Not to mention the sight of a soft-rockstar doing the cheezy workout?
You are one camera video phone away from blackmail fodder.
said:
So when are we going to work out together? I’m slowly but surely getting my own little gym set up. I’ll even let you listen to “It’s Raining Men.”...as long as it’s not too loud. We don’t want to get the neighborhood talking.
Dave Carrol said:
That’s very funny…
3 days ago (for no good reason) I grabbed one of my wife’s Gunther Peterson large oversized novelty exercise ball video and “cored” aswell…
I can barely move still
said:
Thanks for the mental picture! If you’re planning on doing this on the cruise, I’m definitely bringing the camera. I don’t care what I said about no pictures in shorts. I can testify to the fact that you can eat too!
Brody, please help me with the blackmail fodder collection! I’m counting on you and will babysit Cooper one night so you and Kristen can have a childfree dinner.
I am of the philosophy that if the good Lord had wanted me to exercise, I’d have been born in a gym. I was born in a hospital, so I avoid exercise religiously. I do love to eat though so I fully expect my earthly life to end just as it began, in a hospital.
Beth
Pat Callahan said:
The visual of push-ups to “It’s Raining Men” got me. I can’t stop giggling!
euphrony said:
I find it ironic that “It’s Raining Men” is such a popular workout song, in light of the fact that it is sung by two “robust” women who originally called themselves “Two Tons of Fun”.